Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 812,576	$ 936,262	$ 2,534,596	$ 2,709,702
Cost of sales and operating expenses	648,101	742,511	1,979,201	2,129,721
Total before tax	(6,540)	14,980	67,792	42,266
Income taxes	1,403	(6,296)	(3,992)	(15,856)
Amortization of prior service cost	9	9	26	27
Amortization of actuarial loss	888	1,204	2,664	3,610
Net income attributable to Darling	(6,037)	7,761	60,848	22,739
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	(249)	68	(859)	17
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	567	1,352	1,544	3,750
Income taxes	(148)	(525)	(402)	(1,455)
Net income attributable to Darling	419	827	1,142	2,295
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Derivative Instruments [Member] \| Soybean Meal [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	4	0	4	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Derivative Instruments [Member] \| Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	0	0	(14)	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Derivative Instruments [Member] \| Corn Option [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	563	1,352	1,554	3,750
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(897)	(1,213)	(2,690)	(3,637)
Income taxes	229	454	689	1,359
Amortization of prior service cost	(9)	(9)	(26)	(27)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(888)	(1,204)	(2,664)	(3,610)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (668)	$ (759)	$ (2,001)	$ (2,278)

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

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